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Photo TR: Gold Reef City, Johannesburg, SA


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What happens when you got to Cape Town on Holiday but you wife wants to spend the day tanning by the pool? Well, I decided to head over to Johannesburg to visit Gold Reef City. Actually, it was slightly pre-planned, but I was right and my wife did spend the day by the pool!

 

As you may know, Tower of Terror (the in house built vertical drop coaster) has been closed for a refurb for over a year. I was hoping it would be open, but the dates slipped back and back. Well, during my visit last month it was clear they are nearly there. Gone is the normal lift hill, replaced by a lift shaft up the centre of the tower and the old trains are no more. Replaced with some very B&M looking cars!

 

Hope you enjoy the pics!

 

Rich

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The End

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Gold Reef City is made up of the Theme Park and this Vegas style Casino next door

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base of the new lift shaft

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you can just make out the new open style trains

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and to finish a couple more shots of Tower of Terror

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Helix of death! What is it with Giovanola and their helices - this was just as intense as Goliaths

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dum de dum, ahh after a 15 min wait I get one go at this shot - good job i was quick on the shutter

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No trip report is complete without that signature shot - here it is folks

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Finally get the front seat, allowing people to stay on is great - unless you want the front!

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hmm, only another 8 more people required. They won't run with less than 10 people

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Hmm, lets take another ride on Ananconda

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see, so empty than the ride staff jump on the rapid to make the park look busy

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apparently the park is heaving during school holidays - one does have to ask why the stay open during term time

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of course, the park had its own railway, closed on my visit

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the park used to be a working gold mine, and I guess this all thats left of the railway that ran through the area

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and another

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Random ride shot

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Ohh - whats that I see, could it be the remains of the old ToT cars?

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can you tell I'm getting bored of this caption writing now?

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weeeeeeee

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and heres a quarter of the guests - all riding Jozi together. Very odd, 100 in the park and a group of 20+ going round together

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the park obviously didn't feel the need for a second train! Seriously, there were more staff than guests! Every ride had approx 4 people manning it

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Over to the far corner of the park I go, for a ride on Jozi Express, the parks Zierer coaster

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100 people on park? I think they are all in the new Panda 4D theatre, first seen at Efteling

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even with approx 100 people on park you can help but appreciate the themeing.

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maybe they should rename it Ghost Town?

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lively? not today

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so, lets have a wonder around "The Village" section of the park, full of lively restaurants and bars....

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One last shot of the station as we leave ToT for now

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January? Its 25th Jan and its not ready to open!

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exciting tower from ground shot - still awake??

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another mine shaft tower - this one just for themeing

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with its nice new central lift shaft

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and next to the wheel - Tower of Terror

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and the other way, looking out towards Anaconda

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Looking out towards the city

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Over the other side of the park I decided to get an aerial view

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yes, very golden now (it was light blue when it opened)

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from the giant wheel

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Golden Loop, the Schwartzkopf Shuttle was closed, but sported a nice new coat of paint!

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Did I mention the park was a bit quiet?

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Signature Shot?

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Heading back to the centre of the park, I found the Log Flume

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and another for good measure

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Why did Giovanola only build one Inverter?

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Ah, what I flew from one side of SA to the other for. Anaconda, possibly the most intense inverter in the world. Yes, its more intense than Nemesis and Batman

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Is that a Top Spin i see?

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First glimpse into the park and its nice landscaping

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First Step - check the park map

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In we go!

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Entrance Plaza - as you can see, its a busy day!

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We head off to Johannesburg over table bay, courtesy of the world coolest airline - Kulula!

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London?? No Cape Town International

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Well, I had 3 hours to kill before my flight back, and with a Casino next to the airport with a small Vekoma, I couldn't resist! Its actually a nice smooth ride, although by the looks of it ridership is scarce! The woman even let me ride twice for my single token - first passenger of the day apparently.

 

Rich

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and finally, my plane back to Cape Town awaits!

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the rides station is high - followed by a short lift hill

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The indoor parks Vekoma coaster - imaginatively named "Roller Coaster"

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Chariots Entertainment World - part of a Caesars casino resort

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Back in Cape Town this is as close as I got to the other theme park in South Africa. Although it was the middle of the summer, schools were back and Ratanga Junction is closed, even at weekends. Does this park have the shortest opening schedule of any park worldwide? It must be open for approx 10 weeks a year.

 

Rich

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So near, yet so far.......

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Ratanga Junction is part of a large entertainment and shopping complex North of the main town. The Mall car park is as close as I got

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Beautiful & awesome pictures, ToT looks insane.

Shame the shuttle loop was closed too.

 

I think ToT has been closed more like 2 years or even longer.

The parks website, now says it reopens in April, we will have to wait & see. I'm not going to book my flight just yet

 

Once again, great pictures.

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I like the caption,, no change of underwear included in price of ticket on

the Tower of Terror - a def no no sign in England.

 

Lovely pictures of the park and rides, It's just as clean n tidy as

"De Eftling".

 

I'll stay on the shuttle loop (I do miss Thunderlooper) and Anaconda all day.

 

TOT is not for me, I've ridden "Oblivion" once and that was enough, nearly passed out at the bottom of the tunnel.

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WOW, I had NO idea that park was so gorgeous, the theming and landscaping is beautiful, and Anaconda looks amazing!! Add that to my list of must-visit parks, especially with the bonus casino and Vekoma next door!

 

Thanks for sharing, Rich!

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Thanks for this TR!

 

Shame you missed out on Ratanga Junction and a couple of the credits, but still you got to ride Anaconda which just looks and sounds awesome!

 

I'm sure I'll get to South Africa some day. maybe I'll time my trip to coincide with the 2010 World Cup.

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